AllFreeNovel
Share Us
THE WINDY CITYwas certainly well-named. Addisyn’s hair whipped around her face in the rough gale coming off Monroe Harbor. She brushed it out of her eyes and continued strolling along the path. A little wind was a small price to pay for finally having some alone time.
Especially when the opportunity might not come again for a long time.
Wednesday, August 1.
The date rumbled ominously in Addisyn’s mind. Ed would be arriving around six o’clock that evening—which meant that in a little over eight and a half hours, her life would change forever. One way or another. So yes, she’d take all the alone time she could get right now.
Brian had been busy with paperwork—filling out her application for Team Unlimited, he said, although that seemed rather premature. Brian had wanted her to hit the gym for one final workout this morning, but at the last minute he’d changed his mind, told her she could have some free time.
Even in the midst of what was the greatest opportunity of her life—to quote Brian’s catchphrase—Addisyn couldn’t help but resent the fact that she had to wait for Brian’s approval in order to have even a couple of hours to herself. Coaches were supposed to help you, yes. They were supposed to give you nutrition advice and exercise help and force you to stick to training regimens. They might point out flaws in your performance and monitor the mineral content of your meals and occasionally give you a kick in the tail when you needed motivation.
What they weren’t supposed to do was take over your whole life. Good grief, Addisyn had specific rules to follow—things she could only do with Brian, places she had to wait for his permission to visit.
Like last night. Addisyn’s cheeks burned just remembering it. Brian had taken her out to eat at the Tortoise Supper Club. It was an elegant and expensive bar and restaurant, with a romantic ambiance, great cuisine, and friendly staff—there was no denying he planned wonderful dates.
They’d been ordering their food, and Addisyn had been skimming the menu. She’d been starving—her workouts had been crazy yesterday.
The waiter was standing attentively with his pad and pen. Brian scanned the pages perfunctorily. “Wedge salad for me with seasonal soup.” He gestured to Addisyn expectantly.
“Smoked trout Caesar salad with asparagus.” Addisyn reached for an appetizer.
Brian frowned. “You don’t mean that. Don’t you know Caesar salads can cause food poisoning?” His voice wasn’t quiet enough. “Baby, you can’t run that risk.”
“Brian, I’m serious. That’s what I—”
“A French onion gratinee salad for my girl.” Brian cut her off abruptly. “And two lemon margaritas.”
The waiter merely bowed slightly. “Thank you, sir.”
After he left, Addisyn realized she was shaking from anger. “Brian...why did you do that?” She felt tears in the corners of her eyes. “You just embarrassed me in front of everyone.”
Brian stared at her, seemingly shocked she was even upset at all. “What? You’re worried what that punk waiter thought about you?” A frown congealed on his face. “Look, it’s not that big of a deal.”
Thinking back to it now, Addisyn shook her head. Brian was right. The waiter’s opinion didn’t matter at all. And changing a salad order wasn’t exactly earth-shattering—even if Brian had done it in a less-than-tactful way. She couldn’t put her finger, exactly, on why it had upset her so much. But for some reason, Brian’s actions had caused a volcano in her soul.
Relax, baby.His words from the night before.C’mon, you know it’s true. Caesar salads use raw eggs. We can’t run the risk of you getting sick right now.
When Addisyn’s demeanor still didn’t lift, he’d leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She’d been too confused by all that had happened to pull away, but she hadn’t returned the kiss either. When he drew back, there was something in his eyes that Addisyn didn’t like. A hardness there—a hunger that had nothing to do with a salad.
I just want the best for you, baby. Just trying to protect you and make sure things are good for you. You know that by now.
The breeze was still blowing. She turned her face into its blustery good nature. The sun and wind felt wonderful after so many days spent inside a smelly gym or stuffy ice rink. And the gentle walking helped ease the soreness from her muscles, pushed to exhaustion every day.
Addisyn had never been to Chicago before, but she’d heard Brian rave about it as one of his favorite cities in America. Now she could see why. It was like him—restless, prosperous, dirty.
She’d needed a break badly. So today she’d walked down East Ida B. Wells Drive and headed to Grant Park—“Chicago’s backyard,” touted the guidebook. So far, it reminded her of Central Park, one of her favorite places in her former hometown. Baseball diamonds were scattered throughout, most occupied by yelling, laughing kids chasing flyballs. Addisyn had seen some people flying kites, others picnicking. A group of teenagers was just ahead of her, playing with a Frisbee.
She felt a little guilty. Brian would be furious if he knew where she was. She was fully aware that by telling her she could “have some free time,” he didn’t mean go downtown alone. He claimed his constant hovering was for her safety. Like not eating Caesar salads.
Addisyn glanced around the park. So far she felt absolutely safe. It was around nine thirty in the morning, she’d seen multiple traffic policemen, and she was only a quarter of a mile from the hotel, for crying out loud. More importantly, though, she felt peaceful. She could hear the tumult of the city—roar of traffic, honk of horns, a jet rumbling to Chicago-O’Hare. But within Grant Park, she seemed secluded, protected, as if she were in the eye of a hurricane. It was a good place for thinking things over—including Brian’s disturbing control tendencies. Really, who changed an order for another person? A sudden, spasmodic rebellion flamed high in Addisyn’s soul. For a second, she wanted food poisoning—or at least the freedom to get it.
Somehow, she’d become absorbed into Brian’s world—just a small cog in the giant machine of his schemes and plans. The longer she was with him, the less like herself she felt. And the less control she seemed to have over any part of her life. The feeling twisted a tight cord of anxiety around her neck.
A tugboat churned into Monroe Harbor. Addisyn paused for a moment to watch it, fascinated with the way the water slapped its shiny hull. Lake Michigan was right in her lap, separated from the park by only one road.
Slowly Addisyn wandered to the center of the park, until she reached the brick plaza. It was hedged by perfectly trimmed square bushes and the white tents of snack vendors. In the very middle was the magnificent sight of Buckingham Fountain, its jets of water gushing high into the air. Set against the backdrop of the city, the fountain seemed like an eternal epicenter of joy.
With a sigh, Addisyn perched on the stone edge, pulling her knees to her chest. Looking into the pool, she noticed some goldfish sliding through the clearness as well as pennies and dimes twinkling on the bottom of the fountain.
